GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1303, 14 February 1885, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held on Wednesday, in theirlofficea, Messrs Maclean and Stewart’s Buildings.—Members present.—Mr John Talbot (Chairman), and Messrs R. Mackay, ii, H. Postlethwaite, W. Balfour, R. A. Barker, and W. Moody. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from the Public Works Department, acknowledging receipt of the Council’s letter re a stockbridge over the Kangitata, and stating that the Council had as yet forwarded no estimate of the probable traffic over the bridge.—The Chairman said that no reliable information could be obtained on the subject. From the Geraldine Road Board in reference to the closing of a certain road. —lt was resolved : “ That the road line as shown on plan 120, applied to be closed by the Geraldine Road Board, be declared closed at next meeting of this Council, unless reasonable cause is then shown for otherwise proceeding.” Mr Meason’s report was read. He reported that the Opihi bridge contract hud been satisfactorily completed and enclosed certificate for final progress payment. The total expenditure on the work had amounted to £2983 13s 9d. He had arranged with Philp and Jones to carry out the protective works authorised at last meeting for £2ll Is ; the work to be completed within six weeks from the 24th January. He had tailed for tenders for redecking the Temuka and Geraldine traffic bridges, and tarring and painting the Opihi bridge, and these tenders would be laid before them. He had inspected the small bridges between the Saltwater Creek and Pareora. He found that three of them could be repaired for a small cost and would then last for several years. The fourth would have to be rebuilt. In consequence of this he had decided to await further instructions before inviting tenders for rebuilding the whole of the bridges. He reported that he had found a fair site for a stock bridge at Opuba where the Totara Valley road crosses the Opihi. Mr Meason was requested to make up the total amount expended by the Council on protective works at the Opihi. The amount came to £550, and it was decided to apply to the Government for that sum under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. It was decided to inflict a penalty of £25 on the contractors for the Opihi bridge for non-cornpletion of the work within contract time. The Engineer was instructed to report as to the cost of widening the stone bridge in Woollcombe’s Gully, nearTimaru, and to call for tenders for repairs to the small bridges between the Saltwater Creek and Pareora. Tenders for redecking the Temuka bridge were received as follows :—W. Dunne, £995 15a ; R. S. Watson, £IOB7 7s 6d ; A. Targuse, £995 10s ; S. Clinch, £946 ss; and Jas. Philp, £824 14s 9d. For redecking the Geraldine bridge—A. Targuse, £2lO ; J. S. Darby, £205 6s 2d ; and Jas. Philp, £202 2s lid. The tender of Mr Jas. Philp was accepted in each instance. Tenders for tarring and painting the Opihi bridge were opened, but were left to the Chairman and Engineer to deal with. Mr Moody moved, Mr Barker seconded, and it was carried—“ That the Minister for Public Works be respectfully asked to re-adjust the time-table of the morning trains so as to enable scholars to attend the Timaru schools, and to al’ow country people to arrive sooner than at present; also, that cases of hardship continually occur at the sittings of the Courts of Justice, causing country jurors and witnesses to remain over night, when a little alteration in the time-table would allow them to attend without inflicting the hardship and expense alluded to; and further, this Council respectfully draws attention to the slow pace of the morning and evening trains, arising from waiting at stations to fill the time-table : this seems to be calculated to suit the delays of the busy season which only lasts three months; during the other nine months the public suffer unnecessarily in consequence of the slow rate-” The Chairman reported that he had disposed of some of the timber of the old Opihi bridge to the Temuka and Levels Road Boards. He was authorised to dispose of the timber remaining by auction,